A judge at London's City of Westminster Magistrates Court requested the British Home Office to provide information on Spanovic's current status and set the next hearing for December 7.
The attorney representing Croatia at the hearing on Spanovic's extradition claimed that his status in Great Britain was unclear given that a number of his requests for asylum had been rejected. However, the British Home Office let Spanovic stay in Great Britain for an indeterminate time after he withdrew an appeal against the rejection of an asylum request, it was established at the hearing.
"I was told that the appeal was withdrawn based on an offer to stay. He currently has permission to stay in Great Britain for an indeterminate time," said Adina Ezekial, who represents Croatia, adding that the reasons why he had been permitted to stay in this fashion remained unclear.
The 43-year-old Spanovic had been living in south London for 15 years until a June 13 arrest for theft revealed that he had been convicted in Croatia to 20 years in prison for war crimes committed in the Glina area in August 1991. The indictment accused him of torturing and shooting at civilians as well as of plundering and setting fire to civilian and religious facilities.
Spanovic believes that, despite the refusal of asylum, he may be considered a refugee. He did not speak during today's hearing, which he followed with the help of an interpreter.